Donald Trump, Watch Your Back!

My eight year-old is giving you a run for your money!

Let me explain.  Lately, my youngest has been lamenting his lack of an income.  We've offered him jobs that he could do to earn money but, evidently, taking out the trash and dusting are too simple for him.  He thinks bigger than that. 

So, it came as no surprise that he came up with another plan for earning money.  What did surprise me was his method.  You see, he decided to open a restaurant. In our house.  Using our food.  Having us cook it for him.  And charging us money for the privilege!

In fact, I even had to audition to be hired as the cook for him!  It was dicey at first but I'm proud to say that I made the cut.  We are currently in negotiations as to my compensation and benefits.  (My eleven year-old is on my side and tried to get me 52 weeks of vacation a year but my new boss was too smart to fall for that.)  Apparently, there is some sort of profit sharing involved because I was told that I would "get more money when we get more customers."  I have to say, I'm pretty jazzed about that.  I may be the next Microsoft millionaire!

To his credit, my son is a very encouraging boss.  He even makes me feel like I'm part of the "team".  Throughout my cooking audition he kept telling me that I was doing "pretty well" and that my chances were "looking good".   In addition,we have board meetings twice a week where we talk about how to increase profits.  At the first meeting I suggested that we increase prices and decrease expenses and he meticulously wrote that in the minutes.  I may have just hit on the best way to get him to listen to me-- call a meeting!

Let's face it Donald, your clock is ticking.  You've had a nice run but it's time for you to step aside and let a new generation of entrepreneurs take your place.  Don't feel bad, though, I may be able to get you a job.  I have an "in" with the boss.

Good Luck Donald!
Laura

A Prayer to Share

Here's a prayer I wanted to share with you.  I think it's an eloquent reminder of God's glory reflected in creation.  Enjoy!

Good and gracious God, we stand in awe of your power to create a magnificent world for us to enjoy during our lifetime.  Help us to see it anew as the wonder that it is.  Open our eyes and enlighten our minds to understand the power we hold and responsibility we have to keep it as a gift that we only borrow for our lifetime, to return to you and the generations to follow.  Send your Holy Spirit to be here as we reflect in our hearts and minds on your call to us as human beings and Christians to keep this treasure, your earth, safe from harm.  Amen.

--Catholic Wisdom Leader's Guide

Blessings,

Laura

Musings About the End of the World

Thanks to Harold Camping of Family Radio, there's been a lot of talk about the end of the world lately.  According to Harold, the end of the world was supposed to occur last Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 6pm Central Daylight Savings Time. 

Evidently, Harold was mistaken in his calculations (which were many).  Poor guy, I'm sure he's bummed out and maybe a little humbled.  After all, he put a lot of time and research in calculating the exact date and time the Rapture would occur.  Then he spent a lot of time and, I presume, money to spread the word and give everyone a "heads up" so that they could prepare.

Personally, I would like to say, "No thanks, Harold."  It's not that I don't appreciate his fervor.  It's just that I don't feel the need to know exactly when the world is supposed to end.  I prefer to live my life in blissful ignorance of the onset of the apocalypse.  After all, I think God can handle all the details surrounding the end of the world without my help.  As they say in government security work, "That information is available on a need to know basis."  And, I don't need to know.  God has shared with me (and all of us) the tools I need to live my life here so that I can be with Him there, in the afterlife.  It's my job to use the tools He gave me.  Everything else is above my pay grade. ;)

I know that Mr. Camping was trying to give the unprepared an opportunity to get their spiritual affairs in order and I can't fault him for his love of mankind.   But, not everyone reacts the same way to that type of news.  Some may take the opportunity to reconcile with God and put things right.  Others, though, may be paralyzed in panic.  Still others may get the apocalyptic version of "senioritis" and take on an attitude of "Who cares?  I'm outta here in a few days anyway!"

Singer Kris Allen of American Idol fame made a slightly different point in his song, "Live Like We're Dying".   The lyrics of the song say, "We've only got 86,400 seconds in the day to turn it all around or to throw it all away." In other words, he's saying don't waste the time you've been given and don't take your life for granted. I like that attitude. Don't waste your limited time on earth in anger or resentment. Instead, use your time to forgive and care for others as well as you are able. That's my plan. I won't do it perfectly. I'm sure I'll get discouraged or angry or frustrated. But, hopefully, under that frustration or anger or discouragement will be an underlying and deep faith in God.  And when the time comes for the world to end, I trust that God will take care of me.  After all, He's doing a pretty good job of it now.

I hope this doesn't sound rude but, Harold, if you're listening, the next time you calculate the end of the world, keep it to yourself.  Thanks!

Blessings,
Laura

It is in Giving that we Receive

I just got back from a great gathering of newly baptised and confirmed Catholics.  I was there to speak to them about Social Justice and finding our calling to serve others.  Don't worry, I'm not going to repeat my whole 1 1/2 hour presentation for you.  That's not why I'm writing today. 

No, today I'm writing to share with you some of my thoughts on the gifts we've been given by God.  We have all been given different gifts as well as different weaknesses.  I, for example, am not a good debater.  Nor am I a motivated housekeeper.  But, I am a very good speaker and teacher and my mother has blessed me with the gift of enthusiasm which can be pretty rare these days.  So, when I speak to groups, I am very honest about what I am not so that they can have appropriate expectations and, hopefully, appreciate and enjoy what I am.

Now, if you were in the audience, you might think that I was the only one who was sharing their gifts.  But, you'd be wrong.  True, I had center stage and was the one doing all the talking but what those people listening didn't realize was that their presence there gave me something in return. 

You see, writing is a very solitary act.  At times, it can seem isolating when you are researching, writing, and rewriting.  All of those activities are things you do alone.  It's easy to lose momentum or get discouraged when you feel like your work is all in your head or on the page that you hope someone will read someday.

For me, speaking to groups like this one is the antidote to the isolation that can sometimes come with writing.  And with this group I got a healthy dose of my antidote!  I was there to share my knowledge with those present.  In other words, to give of my gifts.  But the reality is that I came away from that gathering re energized and renewed in my calling.  Their attendance and attention gave me fuel for my journey.

So, thank you to the St. Francis of Assisi  Grapevine Texas RCIA.  You have helped me to fulfill my calling.  I hope that I helped you find yours.

Blessings,
Laura

Laura Unplugged!

A few days ago, I returned from a three day trip to a summer camp with over 80 Fifth Graders (my eleven year-old son included).  The weather was beautiful.  The staff was energetic and knowledgeable.  And, best of all, no electronic games were allowed!

It's not that I dislike video games or TV.  Well, maybe I do.  But I have to say that I have good reasons.  I have seen first hand the negative effects of video games and too much TV.  Lack of creativity and poor motor skills and coordination are just tip of the iceberg.  I can tell when my children have been plugged in too long.  They get lethargic, grumpy, and restless.  Overall, they are not fun to be around.  Once they get off their electronic devices and get moving, they begin to perk up.  After all, our bodies are meant to move.  People are meant to interact with each other.  Kids are meant to play pretend and run around outside. 

You might think that denying 80 ten and eleven year-olds their electronic entertainment is a risky endeavor.  There was a time when I might have agreed with you but no more!  On the trip, I didn't hear a single complaint about the lack of video games and TVs.  The students had fun running around and playing outside.  They jumped, hiked, explored, observed and even zip-lined! 

I confess that I had a hard time staying off my phone to check e-mail and facebook!  But, after seeing my son out in nature, it occurred to me that maybe I'd underestimated his ability to "unplug".  Maybe I've taken the easy way out as a mom and let him plug-in because it was easy for me.  Well, it's time to make some changes.

I'm not going to lie and tell you that I'm going to throw out our TV and video games.  I'm not that extreme.  But I know now that I have to unplug if I want my kids to unplug.  I need to set limits for myself as well as for my kids.

So, this summer I am declaring certain days as "unplugged" for myself and my kids.  My husband gets a reprieve for work purposes but once he clocks out for the day he'll be a part of my experiment.  Who knows?  Maybe I'll try an unplugged weekend, then an unplugged week, then a month  . . . .?

What do you think?  Do you find that you don't know what to do with yourself unless you're near a computer, phone or TV?  Does the idea of getting unplugged scare you or thrill you?  Do you already declare your own "electronics vacations"?  I want to hear from you because Lord knows, I need help!

Blessings,
Laura

Time for Reflection

The Book of Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us "There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens." 

Now that we have talked about Reducing our physical and spiritual waste, Reusing things as a way of showing gratitude, and Recycling as God demonstrates in nature, it's time to get to our last "R"-Reflect.

"Reflect" is my own personal addition to the three "R"s of the environment (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle).  Far too often, those of us who strive to be "green" get so caught up in sharing our passion and love for creation with others, that we forget to spend time in reflection pondering God's glory that we see reflected in His creation.

So, today I'm here to give you permission and encouragement to stop amidst all of your daily activities (green or not) and spend some time reflecting on the One who made it all possible-God.  St. Irenaeus said, " FOR EVEN CREATION reveals Him who formed it . . ."  So, when we spend time appreciating creation we should also spend some time in appreciation and gratitude toward the Creator.

In another way, "Reflect" is a reminder for us that how we treat creation is a reflection of our love for God.  So, take a moment and check your reflection.  Hopefully, it will be full of love for God.

Now, that I have discussed all of my "4"s (Scriptures, Virtues, the Poor, God, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Reflect) my Thursday posts will have other spiritual resources for your green life to keep you focused on God as the reason to be green.  There may be book suggestions, prayers, websites, quotes, my own reflections and who knows what else.  Think of it as a spiritual grab bag. You never know what you'll get.  Keep reading to see what's in store.  See you soon!

Blessings,
Laura

Another year, another lie?

Last year I had a "significant" birthday.  You know, one of those milestone birthdays that you either dread or celebrate.  I chose to celebrate. . .with Margaritas.  I had a great party with lots of friends and family.  It was a wonderful way to celebrate my life.

Unlike some people, I usually don't fret about my age for several reasons. 

1. My parents are in their eighties and are amazing.
2. I can't do anything about it. 
3. It's definitive proof that I'm alive! 

To me, that's all good news.

I know that not everyone relishes birthdays like I do.  Who knows, at some point I may change my mind but for now I'm good with it.  The interesting thing is that once I turned 40 my friends started asking me if I was going to start lying about my age.  My reply was, "Of course!  I'm going to start telling everyone I'm 50."

Now, stay with me on this.  You see, I figure that if I start telling people that I'm 21 they'll think I look TERRIBLE for my age.  Whereas, if I tell them I'm 50 and I'm really 40, they'll think I look GREAT for my age. 

I'm not saying that I am throwing in the towel in the fight against aging.  Oh no!  I have my skin care routine and my gym membership to help me fight the fight.  But, I'm also not foolish enough to think that I look like a twenty-one year-old either. 

Of course, my darling husband would say that I look better now than I did then.  The great thing is, he really means it!  Just add it to the list of reasons why I married him.  Not to be vain, but in a way, I agree with him.  I'm not suggesting that I haven't aged or that I look better physically.  No, it's more about the fact that I'm content and happy with my life.  I think happiness is the best anti-aging strategy that there is. 

My goal now is to stay happy and the rest will work itself out.  But, if that fails, I'll just tell everyone that I'm 90 and they'll be AMAZED!

Recycling (at last!)

Well, it's been months since I began this blog and this is the first time that I have discussed recycling.  I'm sorry if you've been impatiently waiting for me to get to this subject.  It's not that I don't think recycling is important.  It is.  It's just that recycling gets so much attention these days that I sometimes wonder if that's all that the world thinks they should do to take care of the earth.

Don't get me wrong.  Recycling is an important part of good stewardship.  Heck, we can take our cues from nature on this.  A forest floor is a great example of recycling that takes place naturally all the time.  When leaves, twigs, branches or pine cones fall to the forest floor, they gather and pile up on top of each other.  Over time, the organic matter closest to the soil begins to decompose and becomes rich soil or humus.  (Not to be confused with hummus, a tasty Mediterranean bean dip.)  As more organic matter is piled on top, more humus forms on the bottom.  The cycle can continue endlessly under the right circumstances.  Nothing is wasted in nature.  Everything is used, reused and recycled.  That's a wonderful example for us to follow. 

The only problem is, we often feel like recycling is a "get out of jail free" card.  We can consume all the resources we want if we just recycle.  Not so fast there, Bub! There's a reason why "Recycle" is the third of the Three Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle).  Because it's actually the last thing you should do after trying everything else.  After you've reduced your waste, after you've reused items again and again, THEN you should recycle.

So, now that you've come to the point when you are ready to recycle the little you have left in your trash, how about looking past the paper, aluminum, and plastic in your recycling bins.  Let's look for other things that can be recycled.

Here are a few unconventional items that can be recycled:

• Glue sticks and glue bottles--Elmer's Glue
• Blue jeans--Check out Green Jeans Insulation and Bonded Logic.  Both companies make insulation out of blue jeans and occasionally have collection drives
• Crayons
• Styrofoam peanuts--at your local pack and ship store or Here
• athletic shoes--Nike
• ink jet and printer cartridges--Rapid Refill Ink
• Just about anything else--Terracycle

Do you know of any other things that can be recycled?  Let me know.  I want to hear from you!

Blessings,
Laura

In My Own Backyard

Every few months or so, I try to find a new way to be a deeper shade of "green".  Usually, it involves some behavior changing project.  Converting to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) was one project that was a success.  We were amazed that the amount of heat coming off the CFLs was barely noticeable compared to the sweltering heat of our old traditional bulbs.  Another project was learning to use a refillable water bottle instead of disposables. 

But not all of my green projects have been successes.  As I confessed last week, I'm still learning how to manage an organic landscape and my attempt at composting left me with a cornstalk growing out of my pile.  But, despite the fact that I have been less than successful in some of my attempts, I keep trying to find new ways to be a better steward of creation.

Lately, I've been trying to buy more products and services locally to both promote local small businesses and to reduce my carbon emissions.  So far, so good.  Currently, I have managed to get all my family's doctors within a 5 mile radius of our home.  It doesn't hurt that we live near a hospital but, hey, I still had to make some tough choices. 

Where to go from here?  Well first, I'm looking for a place to get my haircut that is closer to home.  Right now I have to get on the highway for a 15-20 minute drive to get my haircut.  I think it's time to bring it closer to home.  Second, I'm going to make an extra effort to patronize local retail establishments such as restaurants and shops.  It's definitely going to take an effort to remember to look there first when doing my shopping but I think I'll be glad.  Lastly, I'm going to start visiting the local farmers market for my produce.  I can just taste the fresh fruits and veggies!

Since my husband and I are what you might call "frugal" (or you might call us cheap!), this may be difficult for us.  In the end, we may end up doing some of our shopping locally and the rest at chain stores.  But, it's a start.  Even if I only do some of my shopping at locally owned shops, it's more than I've done in the past.  And like I've said before, change is hard.  But I think it's time to start supporting the businesses that are in my own backyard.

 I know I have a lot to learn so, help me out.  Tell me some of your successes (or failures if you're brave enough) in buying locally.  I want to hear from you.

Blessings,
Laura